Part 3 Ch.18-1

I wake up with a groan. My body aches when I shift on the bed and I close my eyes again, willing myself to sleep--or at least look like I'm sleeping. I take inventory, slowly flexing each muscle, trying to see if everything works. After a few seconds I remember the thing they injected me with and my eyes fly open. My hands are no longer in handcuffs and I reach for the back of my neck. There's a small bandage and I rip it out, carefully touching the skin around it. My fingers pause when I feel a hard bump--about the size of a small pill.  I poke it and it shifts under my skin. That's the thing that's keeping my powers away. If I take it off, I might have a chance... How many days have I been here? They captured me early in the morning, taken for questioning a few hours later. And a few hours after that, questioned again. And after that...just how long was I out? I can't trust the ache in my bones to tell me anything, as they could have easily come from the electricity. For all their talk of being different, she's just as corrupt as the previous Sheriff. I grit my teeth. I'm going to kill her. And Carson for getting me into this. A thought stops me. I passed out. Did my wall fall too? Has the Sheriff managed to get any information? Paxton is smart. If he knows by now that I'm with the OCIU, he's going to set extra guards. It's what we said we'd do in case one of us is taken into custody. Sometimes no amount of loyalty can stop someone from wanting the pain to stop. I might break eventually, of that I have no doubts- I've seen stronger people than I break. But the question is...when? Will Paxton have enough time to get ready? There's a noise outside my cell and I jump to my feet, swaying only a little. But a small door near the bottom of the door opens and a tray of food drops in. A second later, a glass of water. "Feeding time." A voice taunts. I hear the cruel amusement in his words. The small door slams shut. I look at the food distastefully. The very thought of eating from the hand that keeps me here fills me with revulsion but I need to keep my strength up. An hour passes. Then two. They take the empty plates away and I try to sleep. The light on the camera in the corner of the wall stares unblinkingly at me. I wonder who's behind those lenses. I must have dozed off because the door wakes me up. My heart pounds and I'm on my feet before I even realize what's awoken me. Different police officers from yesterday stand on the door. They bring out a handcuff. Five minutes later, I'm tied down in the same room I was in the first time. I don't have to wait long, Carson walks in a minute later. His face is expressionless but beneath his eyes, I feel something waver. "Hello Elenora." "Carson." I greet. My voice comes out rough and low. I clear my throat. He seems to hesitate for a second then he sits down, setting a blank notepad on the table. "We need you to cooperate with us. It will make it easier on you if you do." He says it with such conviction, as if he actually believe the shit he's saying. He waits for me to say something and when I don't he does on. "We need to know the names of the people you work with. We're willing to make a deal. Depending on the information you tell us-if it's true- the court is willing to reconsider their decision." "And what was their decision?" He hesitates. "Taking in your past crimes, they have ruled for the death penalty." I knew it. Some time ago, Paxton and I went to Cosmo. We were curious, we wanted to know what the police has on us and what would happen if we were caught. We found that the punishment will be severe, they would want to make an example of us. But knowing something is going to happen and it actually happening are two different things. I fight to keep my face impassive. "Anything you can tell us, no matter how trivial, can help you-" "When." "When what?" I give him a look. "Five days from now." He says. I look at the camera, I wonder how many people are watching me, trying to dissect everything I say or don't say. Might as well make their life harder. I close my mouth and keep it closed for the rest of the interview. By the time we reach the end, Carson is frustrated.  He seems genuinely trying to help. But then again he seemed genuinely helpful when he betrayed me. He's trying to prove himself to Sheriff Newman. Clearly, they've only given him this task because he was closest to me. "Elenora, please. For once in your life, listen to me." He says. "Just say something. Anything." I stare back at him. He finally stands up. "Take her back to her cell." He says, looking at me. He leaves and not taken to my room but to the interrogation room. They make it last longer this time. 0~0~0